Greek strike hits flights, services, industry

A Greek nationwide strike against labour reforms froze ferries and trains, disrupted flights and hit most industry and public services yesterday, union officials said.

The GSEE umbrella labour federation declared the 24-hour walkout a victory in its clash with the conservative government over a bill scrapping jobs for life at state firms, which is seen as a forerunner of major reforms in the public sector.

"Millions of workers from all over Greece sent a strong message today," said Christos Polyzogopoulos, president of GSEE, which represents over two million public and private sector workers - about half the country's workforce.

"We will all fight together to defend our rights," he told a rally of more than 5,000 workers in central Athens. Braving rain, the strikers then marched to parliament, banging drums and chanting slogans against the government. On the sidelines of the march, about 10 self-described anarchists set fire to two police cars and attacked reporters, police said.

GSEE said participation in the strike, which it described as its biggest confrontation with any government in years, was almost 90 per cent in some sectors. Government officials were not available for comment.

The strike's effect in the whole country was not immediately clear but the union of northern Greek industries, an employers' group, said participation in the walkout was only about 20 per cent in their region.